Bettiah: A 25-year-old woman died by suicide in Bihar’s Bettiah district late on Thursday evening, in a deeply disturbing case that her family says was the result of deception, domestic conflict and sustained harassment. The woman, Sufiara Khatun, was found hanging from a bamboo pole beneath the asbestos roof of her parents’ house in Mehnoul Kala village, which falls under the Matiyaria police station area. Police officials confirmed that her body has been sent to the Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination, and an investigation is under way.
According to family members, Sufiara’s relationship began several years ago while she and her future husband were making short social media reels together. The bond slowly turned into a romantic relationship, and about two years ago, she married Jugnu Ansari, a resident of Changwana village, with the consent of both families. Her father said the family believed the marriage would bring stability and happiness to his youngest daughter, who was one of three sisters.
However, soon after going to her in-laws’ home, Sufiara allegedly discovered that her husband was already married and had three children from his first wife. This information, her family says, was hidden from her before the wedding. The discovery led to frequent arguments and tension at her marital home. Relatives claim that Sufiara was subjected to mental and physical harassment by her husband and in-laws, which gradually broke her emotionally and affected her health.
Due to her worsening condition, Sufiara returned to her parents’ home in Mehnoul Kala. She had also travelled to Narkatiaganj for medical treatment about a week before her death. Even after she came back, her family alleges, her husband continued to harass her and even assaulted her at her parents’ house. On Thursday evening, after putting her seven-month-old son to sleep on the bed, Sufiara took the extreme step, leaving her family in shock and grief.
Police said that no formal complaint has yet been lodged by the family. “At present, it appears to be a case of suicide. Once a written complaint is received, an FIR will be registered and appropriate legal action will be taken,” said Rakesh Kumar, station house officer of Matiyaria police station. The incident has once again highlighted the serious impact of domestic disputes, deception in marriage and the lack of timely support for women facing abuse.
